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What is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance can help safeguard your furry family’s health. Just like you may insure yourself and your loved ones, you deserve help getting peace of mind for your loyal companions. Vet bills for unexpected accidents or illnesses can quickly become overwhelming. That's where pet insurance can help. With numerous potential threats lurking around the corner, pet insurance can help you rest easy knowing your beloved pooch or kitty is covered.
Why is pet insurance important in Ontario?
Wildlife Encounters
Ontario is known to have, bears, moose, wolves, and other wildlife. While pet parents may do their best to avoid wildlife encounters when out and about with their pets, accidents can happen. Pets can suffer scratches, cuts, and bites from wildlife encounters, which can expose your pet to diseases or infections that may cause complications with treatment.
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Hypothermia
Just like humans, pets can suffer from hypothermia in extremely cold weather. Short-haired or smaller animals can be especially susceptible. Frostbite is another risk, that may primarily affect their ears, tails, or paws. Another threat pets can be exposed to during the winter is antifreeze. The mixture is often used in cars during winter, and the substance is toxic to pets if ingested.1
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Marijuana Ingestion
Because recreational use of cannabis is legal in Ontario, pets can be at risk of consuming marijuana, which is toxic to pets. Marijuana poisoning can cause pets to act lethargic, or experience vomiting, agitation, tremors, or difficulty walking.2 The good news is that with proper treatment, most dogs can recover quickly.
Read moreWhy Spot Plans?
Spot helps provide pet parents the flexibility to choose their pet’s coverage from one of 4 tiers. Tier 1 offers accident-only coverage, while tiers 2 – 4 offer accident and illness coverage for your pet. With multiple coverage options to choose from, pet parents have help finding the plan that best fits both the needs of their pet and their budget.
Spot’s Wellness Riders
Spaying or Neutering: Covered for an extra cost as part of the optional wellness add-ons.
Core Vaccines: Staying up to date with vaccines helps your pet stay healthy as they develop and age.
Wellness Exams: Routine exams and screenings give your vet the opportunity to detect health issues in the early stages.
Sources:
“Antifreeze Dangers,” The Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, https://www.albertaspca.org/animal-care/companion-animals/caring-for-pets/antifreeze-dangers, accessed Jan. 23, 2024.
“Cannabis Intoxication in Cats and Dogs,” VCA Animal Hospitals, https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/marijuana-intoxication-in-dogs-and-cats, accessed Jan. 3, 2024.
The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.
Ontario Pet Insurance Information by City
Find city-specific information about Pet Insurance in the state of Ontario.
Pet Insurance FAQs
Have questions about pet insurance and how it works? Let’s dig up an answer.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
Pet insurance can put money back in your pocket for veterinary costs needed to diagnose, treat, and manage an eligible condition. Exams and rechecks, x-rays, ultra-sounds, bloodwork, surgeries, stitches, medication, and prescriptions, and even prescription diets are all examples of costs that can be claimed for if they are used to treat or diagnose a covered condition.
Do All Vets Take Spot Pet Insurance?
You can visit any licensed veterinarian, specialty clinic, or emergency clinic in the US or Canada.
Do You Have a List of Veterinarians I Have to Use?
You can take your pet to any licensed veterinarian in Canada or when traveling in the United States— even specialists and emergency care providers. Spot Pet Insurance programs reimburse in Canadian dollars the cost of care from a licensed veterinarian in the US should something happen while you are traveling- currencies will not be exchanged.
What is a Pre-Existing Condition?
A pet’s illness or accident is considered pre-existing if the condition was onset before the policy coverage effective dates, or during a waiting period. This means if the first signs or symptoms of a condition showed up before coverage started, it would be considered pre-existing to coverage, even if it was not formally diagnosed. The most common reason why an illness or an accident is not covered by any pet insurance provider is if the condition was present before coverage started. For coverage to be available with almost all types of insurance, the problem must be new and unexpected.
For example, if typical symptoms of allergies (itchy skin, ear infections) were present before the coverage was effective or appeared within the waiting period of the policy, the allergies and related conditions, such as itchy paws and pyoderma, would be pre-existing to coverage.
How are My Premiums Calculated?
In general, your premium is based on your pet’s age, your pet’s breed, and where your pet lives. Some other factors that impact your premium are the plan you choose, if you have included preventative care coverage or not, and the discounts for which you are eligible.